Velocipede structure



May 9, 1939- s. A. sNr-:LL 2,157,972

VELOCIPEDE STRUCTURE FiledvMarch 2.2, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheefl v1 cv y0,0 4| f. INVENTOR4 SAMUEL A. SNELL May 9, 1939- s. A. sNELL 2,157,972

VELOCIPEDE STRUCTURE Filed March 22, 1937 2 Sheets-5h69?l 2 o o. INVENToR I 'OB SAMUEL A.SNELL Patented May 9, 1,939

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VELOCIPEDE STRUCTURE corporation of Ohio Application March 22, 1937, Serial No. 132,415

7 Claims.

This invention relates generally to juvenile vehicles and refers more particularly to velocipedes.

One of the essential objects of the invention is to provide a velocipede wherein the backbone is flexible so that it will materially improve the riding qualities and will effectively cushion the rider from shocks and jars which are ordinarily received fom velocipedes of conventional design and tend to impair the health of the rider.

Another object is to provide a velocipede backbone that is less bulky and less likely to be disfigured or damaged by careless handling while in use.

Another object is to improve the construction of velocipedes generally so that they not only will have the desirable characteristics above referred to and be strong and durable and pleasing in appearance, but may be manufactured at a comparatively low cost.

More specifically, it is an object of the present invention (1) to improve the connections between the backbone and the front fork of the velocipede; (2) to improve the connections between the backbone and the seat post; (3) to provide means for concealing the connections mentioned ln (l) and (2); (4) to improve the handlebar construction so that it, like the backbone, will be exible to cushion the hands and arms of the rider; and (5) to improve the rear platform or step construction and its connections with the backbone and rear axle of the velocipede.

Other objects, advantages and novel details of construction of this invention will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a velocipede embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the backbone, rear platform and rear axle;

(Cl. 28o- 282) Figure 9 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line S--S of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a sectional View taken substantially on the line IIl-IIl of Figure 8;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary side elevation of a slight modification, with parts broken away and in section;

Figure 12 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line I2--I2 of Figure 11;

Figure 13 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line I 3-I3 of Figure 1l;

Figure 14 is a side elevation of another modifled form of backbone;

Figure 15 is a top plan view of the backbone illustrated in Figure 14;

Figure 16 is a fragmentary elevation of another modified form of backbone, with parts broken away and in section;

Figure 17 is a top plan view of the structure illustrated in Figure 16;

Figure 18 is a fragmentary side elevation of another modified form of backbone, with parts broken away and in section;

Figure 19 is a top plan view of lthe structure illustrated in Figure 18;

Figure 20 is a fragmentary side elevation of another modified form of backbone, with parts broken away and in section;

Figure 21 is a top plan view of the structure illustrated in Figure 20;

Figure 22 is a fragmentary side elevation of another modified form of backbone;

Figure 23 is a top plan view of the structure illustrated in Figure 22.

Referring now to the drawings, A is the backbone, B is the front fork, C is the handlebar, and D is the rear platform or step of a velocipede embodying my invention. As shown, the backbone A comprises essentially a strip I of spring steel having a closed return-bent portion 2 at its fprward end and an open return-bent portion 3 at its rear end. Preferably the strip I and the closed return-bent portion 2 have vertically aligned openings 4 and 5, respectively, that ren ceive the upstanding shank 6 of the front fork and are rigidly fastened together in rear of said fork by a bushing 'I that receives the supporting post B for the seat 9. Any suitable means such as a screw Ill carried by the bushing 1 may be used to hold the seat post 8 in proper position. Bushings II and I2 are anchored in the openings 4 and 5, respectively, and form bearings for the shank 6 of the fork. Preferably this shank 6 is tubular in form and receives the depending post 55 I3 of the steering bar. A collar I4 is sleeved upon the post I3 and shank 6 and is fastened thereto by a suitable screw I5.

In the present instance the shank 6 is formed separately from the fork proper I6 and has a flanged portion I1 welded thereto. |8 is a fender for the front wheel I9 mounted on the fork proper I6 and provided upon opposite sides ofV the fork with suitable braces 28. For propelling the Wheel I9, there is an axle 2| journaled in the furcations of the fork B and provided with suitable cranks 22 and pedals 23.

The open return-bent portion 3 of the backbone extends through a depending flange 24 of the rear platform D under the latter and preferably has a substantially U-shaped portion 25 receiving the axle 26 for the rear wheels 21. As shown in Figure 5, a portion 28 of the platform D is crimped down upon the axle 26 in the U- shaped portion 25 and cooperates with the latter to retain the axle. A Washer 29 rests upon the platform D over the crimped portion 28, and bolts 38 extend through the washer 29, platform D and return-bent portion 3 of the backbone upon opposite sides of the axle 26 and are engaged beneath the return-bent portion 3 with nuts 3| to firmly hold the parts together. Any suitable means such as the cap 32 may be used to cover the washer 29 and bolts 38. Preferably this cap 32 is formed of sheet metal and has lugs or tongues 33 extending through slots or holes in the platform D and bent laterally with respect thereto so that the cap will be retained in place.

To conceal the connections between the backbone A and fork B and to provide a pleasing appearance, I have provided a pair of ornamental side plates 34 of sheet metal that are mounted upon opposite sides of the backbone at the forward end thereof. As shown, these plates 34 substantially conform to the loop 35 formed by the backbone strip I and return-bent portion 2 thereof and have marginal flanges 36 that embrace said parts. Any suitable means such as bolts 31 and nuts 38 may be used to hold the plates 34 in place. To strengthen the structure, a bracket 39 is located in the loop 35 between the plates and is also held in place by the bolts 31 and nuts 38.

The handlebar C has a strip 48 of spring steel provided at opposite ends thereof with suitable grips 4| and is fastened intermediate said ends to a rearwardly extending arm 42 thatv is preferably integral with the post I3.

In Figures 1l, 12 and 13 I have illustrated a slight modification in which the loop 58 formed by the strip 5| and return-bent portion 52 of the backbone is exposed, and the braces 53 for the front wheel fender 54 curve upwardly above the latter at the forward end thereof and are connected to the collar 55 on the post 56 of the hardlebar 51. Preferably the forward end 58 of the loop 58 is straight and substantially parallel to the shank 59 ofthe front fork 60. In this construction the tubular shank 59 of the front fork is journaled in bushings 6I and 62 respectively in vertically aligned openings 63 and 64 in the strip 5| and return-bent portion 52, and the return-bent portion 52 of said strip is fastened tothe latter by a bushing 65 that receives the supporting post 66 of the seat 61. However, the rear platform 68 has an arched portion 69 at the center thereof cooperating with a substantially U-shaped portion 18 of the open returnbent portion 1| of the backbone for receiving the axle 12 for the rear wheels 13. A washer or plate 'I4 rests upon the platform 68 and has an arched portion 15 receiving the arched portion 69. Bolts 16 extend through the plate 14, platform 68 and return-bent portion 1I of the backbone and are engaged beneath said return-bent portion by nuts 11 to hold the parts together.

In Figures 14 and l5 I have illustrated another modication wherein the backbone structure is identical With that illustrated in Figures 11, 12 and 13 except that the forward end of the loop 88 has been eliminated. As shown, a tube 8| is substituted between the main strip 82 and an auxiliary strip 83 and is rigidly secured thereto at the forward ends thereof. The auxiliary strip 83 is secured to the main strip 82 by a bushing 84 that corresponds to the bushing 65 for receiving the seat post.

In Figures 16 and 17 I have illustrated another modified form of backbone wherein the strip 98 of spring steel is provided at its forward end with an open return-bent portion 9|. Bushings k92 and 93, respectively, are anchored Within vertically aligne-d openings in the strip 98 and return-bent portion 9| for receiving an upright portion (not shown) of the front fork of a velocipede, and a tube 94 is sleeved on portions of these bushings to complete the assembly. A bushing 95 is anchored in the strip 98 for receiving a seat post (not shown).

In Figures 18 and 19 I have illustrated another modication in which the strip 96 of spring steel is provided at its forward end with an opening 91 for receiving a tube 98 adapted to receive an upright portion (not shown) of a front fork of a velocipede. A reinforcing Washer or plate 99 is fastened to the underside of the strip 96 at its forward end and is provided with an opening |89 for receiving the tube 98. I8| is a bushing fastened to the strip 98 for receiving a seat post (not shown). l

In Figures 20 and 2l two strips |82 and |83, respectively, of spring steel are connected adjacent their forward ends by plates |84 and |85, respectively. As shown,v the plate |84 is at the forward end of the strips |82 and |83 and has an opening |86 receiving a tube |91 that is adapted to be mounted upon an upright portion (not shown) of a front fork of a velocipede. A bushing |88 is carried by the plate |85 and is adapted to ireceive a supporting post (not shown) ofa sea In Figures 22 and 23 I have illustrated another modification wherein the strip |58 of spring steel is providedat its forward end with a downwardly curved portion that carries a tube I I2 adapted to be mounted upon an upright portion (not shown) of a front fork, of a velocipede. l |3 is a bushing carried by the strip II8 for receiving a seat post (not shown);

Thus, in each instance `I have provided a velocipede wherein the backbone structurels flexible and serves as an eiiioient cushion for thev rider from shocks and jars, etc. Such backbone structure constitutes a part of theframework of the velocipede and cooperates with the other elements thereof to provide a strong and' durable structure. k

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a velocipede, a backbone 'comprising a strip of spring steel having a closed return-bent portion at its forward end, and a bushing securing said portion to said strip and having an opening for receiving a seat post.V

2. In a velocipede, a backbone having an end portion bent back against the backbone, said backbone, and return-bent portion having aligned openings, and means Within said openings securing said return-bent portion to said backbone, said means providing a supporting collar for a seat post.

3. In a velocipede, a backbone having a main strip and an auxiliary strip, the forward end of said strips being spaced apart and having aligned openings for an upright part of a front fork, the rear end of the auxiliary strip bearing against the main strip, said rear end and main strip having aligned openings, and a member in the last mentioned openings and securing the auxiliary strip to the main strip, said member being apertured to receive a seat post.

4. In a velocipede, a backbone having a main strip and an auxiliary strip, the forward end of said strips being spaced apart and having aligned openings for an upright part of a front fork, and means securing the rear end of the auxiliary strip to the main strip and providing a supporting collar for a seat post.

5. In a velocipede, a backbone having for engagement with a front fork a pair of cooperating parts having portions in contiguous relation to each other, said contiguous portions having registering openings for receiving a seat post, and a connection between said portions including a member having a portion engaging said registering openings and provided with an opening for receiving a seat post.

6. In a velocipede, a backbone comprising a strip of spring steel having a portion at one end bent back upon itself and providing a closed loop, a part of said portion and part of said strip forming a laminated structure, the parts of said laminated structure having registering openings therein, and a supporting sleeve for a seat post mounted in said registering openings.

'7. In a velocipede, a backbone comprising an elongated member having a portion at one end bent back upon itself and providing a closed loop, a part of said portion and a part of said member forming a laminated structure, and a connection between the parts of said laminated structure including a tubular member extending through both of said parts and forming a supporting collar for a seat post.

SAMUEL A. SNELL. 

